If you live alone or are the only person in your household who drinks coffee, investing in one of the best single serve coffee makers is probably a better fit for your lifestyle than a traditional drip coffee maker. With standard coffee makers, you generally have to brew at least four cups at a time, which can result in a lot of daily waste if you don’t drink it all. Our top pick is the Cuisinart Single Serve Reservoir Coffee Maker, a solid option that’s compatible with all brands of coffee pods and comes with a reusable filter cup for loose ground coffee.
The best single serve coffee makers are a convenient and affordable brewing method if all you need ... [+] is a single cup of joe. Double Socket Bend
“The main benefits of a single-serve coffee maker are its speed and ease of use compared to brewing a whole pot,” says Maryna Gray, director of coffee at Bean Box. “With single-serve, you'll always have a fresh, hot cup of coffee without having to reheat or drink coffee that's been sitting on a warmer for hours. Plus, it's a waste of coffee beans to make an entire pot of coffee if you're the only one drinking it!”
When it comes to choosing a single serve coffee makers, there are a few different styles available these days. Most people are familiar with Keurig or pod coffee makers, which use pre-packaged pods to brew single cups of coffee. However, you can also find drip-style coffee makers that can brew one cup at a time, as well as pour-over coffee makers that work without electricity. There’s also been a rise in high-tech “super espresso” machines that can brew single servings of coffee, espresso and even make milk-based drinks. Whether you want to keep it basic and budget-friendly or go all-out on your new coffee machine, these are the best single serve coffee makers worth considering in 2023.
Type: Drip/pod | Dimensions: 11 x 9.33 x 12.13 inches | Water reservoir: 72 ounces
If you want the option to alternate between K-cups, other pre-packaged pods and your favorite ground coffee, the Cuisinart Premium Single Serve Brewer is the way to go. It’s compatible with all brands of coffee pods, and it also comes with a reusable filter cup, which you can fill up with loose ground coffee. The machine is able to make 4-, 6-, 8-, 10- and 12-ounce beverages at the touch of a button, and its drip tray is removable, allowing you to brew directly into your favorite travel mug.
To give you even more control over your morning cup of coffee, this single serve machine offers adjustable brewing temperature, as well as a 24-hour programming feature. It’s equipped with a built-in water filter for better-tasting coffee, and there’s even an auto-rinse setting for easy cleaning.
Type: Pod | Dimensions: 9.9 x 12.7 x 13.1 inches | Water reservoir: 75 ounces
There are quite a few Keurig models available today, but for most people, the Keurig K-Elite Coffee Maker offers the right balance of features and value. This pod-style coffee maker works with the brand’s K-cups, and you have your choice between 4-, 6-, 8-, 10- and 12-ounce cup sizes. In addition to hot coffee, the machine can also make iced coffee, and there’s even a “Strong Brew” button if you need an extra jolt of caffeine.
This Keurig has a large 75-ounce water tank that lets you brew up to eight cups before refilling and the drip tray is removable to accommodate travel mugs. It even offers several programmable settings, such as adjustable temperature control and a high-altitude mode.
While many people choose Keurigs for the convenience of K-cups, the brand does have the My K-Cup Reusable Coffee Filter, which allows you to use your own ground coffee in the machine. Just keep in mind that this accessory is sold separately.
Type: Super espresso machine | Dimensions: 17.05 x 9.69 x 14.61 inches | Water reservoir: 60 ounces
Most coffee experts—Gray included—will tell you that freshly ground beans are the key to a better-tasting brew. To ensure you have fresh grounds for every drink, the Philips 3200 Series Fully Automatic Espresso Machine has a built-in bean hopper and grinder with 12 different settings.
This high-end machine is able to make five different drinks—fresh coffee, espresso, cappuccinos, latte macchiatos and americanos—and it automatically grinds fresh beans for every cup. You’re able to select the brew strength and drink size for each beverage, and the coffee maker’s unique LatteGo frothing system automatically creates silky smooth foam to top your drink.
Type: Pod | Dimensions: 12.1 x 11 x 17.2 inches | Water reservoir: 60 ounces
The Keurig K-Café Smart Coffee Maker is one of the brand’s most advanced models, featuring Wi-Fi connectivity and a built-in milk frother. This pod-style coffee maker is able to automatically make fresh coffee, lattes and cappuccinos, all based on the pod you insert into the machine, and its frother features three different speeds, as well as the option to make hot or cold foam.
This Keurig also offers more customization options than standard models. There are five brew strength and six temperature settings, and if you connect it to the Keurig app, you’ll get access to step-by-step directions for making a variety of signature drinks.
Type: Coffee press | Dimensions: 4.6 x 3.6 x 3.6 inches | Water reservoir: N/A
It may not look like much, but many coffee experts swear by the Aeropress Original Coffee and Espresso Maker. This compact, portable single-serve coffee maker is simple to use—just add your favorite ground coffee to the press, then pour in hot water and stir. In less than a minute, you’ll be able to press the plunger, creating a surprisingly smooth, full-flavored 8-ounce cup of coffee. The press has unique microfilters that keep grit out of your drink, and you can even use the device to make cold brew. Thanks to its compact size and lightweight form, the Aeropress is ideal for use in the office, while traveling or even when you’re camping off-the-grid.
Type: Pour-over | Dimensions: 5 x 5 x 5.5 inches | Water reservoir: N/A
Even if you’re new to using a pour-over coffee maker, the OXO Brew Pour-Over takes all the guesswork out of the process. This convenient unit is extremely budget-friendly, and it’s designed to sit right over your coffee mug. All you have to do is line it with a cone-shaped filter and add your favorite coffee grounds. From there, attach the water tank and pour in up to 12 ounces of hot water. The auto-drink tank lets the water flow down at the perfect pace, resulting in delicious balanced coffee every time. Plus, when you’re finished, all the pieces can be popped in the dishwasher for easy cleaning.
Type: Pour-over | Dimensions: 5.5 x 5.6 x 1 inches | Water reservoir: N/A
The GSI Outdoors Java Drip Collapsible Pour-Over Coffee Maker was designed with campers in mind—the lightweight silicone form collapses down into a convenient 1-inch disc, making it easy to stash in any bag. To make a cup of coffee, simply set the pour-over on top of your cup or travel mug and line it with a cone-shaped filter. Because of its larger shape, you can even use the pour-over to make multiple cups of coffee at once.
The Java Drip’s unique flange makes it easy to center the device over your mug, and it also helps to prevent spills while you’re brewing. All that, and it’s extremely inexpensive, too.
Type: Drip | Dimensions: 8.75 x 11.99 x 15.04 inches | Water reservoir: 40 ounces
If you want the option to brew a full carafe of coffee, as well as a single cup, the Ninja CM401 Specialty 10-Cup Coffee Maker can do both. This versatile machine actually offers six brew sizes in total: a single cup, extra-large cup, travel mug, multi-serve travel mug, half carafe or full 10-cup carafe. You also have the choice between four different brew styles, including classic, rich, over ice or specialty brew. No matter how you like your coffee, this machine will deliver.
That’s not all, either. The Ninja Specialty Coffee Maker has a fold-away milk frother that can make warm or cold milk froth for your drinks, and the majority of its components are dishwasher-safe for easy cleaning.
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